Tigris, Euphrates, and Shatt Al-Arab River System: Historic and Modern Attempts to Manage and Restore Iraq’s Lifeline

In Iraq, the principal rivers are the Tigris, Shatt Al-Arab and Euphrates. From their headwater sources in the mountains of eastern Türkiye, these rivers descend through valleys and gorges and flow into the uplands of Syria and northern and central alluvial plain of Iraq. The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers confluence to form the Shatt Al-Arab river at Al-Qurnah which flows into the Persian Gulf. From sources in the Zagros Mountains other tributaries join the Tigris from the east. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow in a southeastern direction through the central plain and discharge into the Mesopotamian Marshes, which include permanent marshes, lakes, and riparian habitat. The rivers and their tributaries drain an area of 879,790 km2 which includes almost the entire area of Iraq as well as land in Syria, Türkiye, Kuwait and Iran. The region has historical importance as part of the Fertile Crescent region and where Mesopotamian civilization first emerged. The post war reconstruction efforts in the Yusifiyah township, an important food production region for Baghdad, illustrate the importance of these water resources. In addition, the advent of soil tunnels by Iraqi insurgents within the riverine corridors will make reconstruction of this resource more complex. The primary objectives of this study are to assess lessons learned, manage, and restore the Tigris, Euphrates, and Shatt Al-Arab river system lifeline in Iraq.

Dolomitization of the lower cretaceous carbonate reservoir in the Euphrates Graben,Syria

Results of this study are based on core materials description,thin sections,Cathodoluminescence(CL),and Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM)examinations.The Lower Cretaceous over the Euphrates Graben area was characterized by carbonate sedimentation in shallow marine environments.The low energy lagoonal to inner shelf sediments of the Judea Formation includes micritic mudstone to wackestone texture,dolomitic limestones and dolostones.Two types of dolomites recognized in the carbonates of the Judea Formation,the preserving microcrystalline dolomites which commonly founded in the partially dolomitized micritic limestones,and the destructive coarsely crystalline dolomites which commonly founded in the dolostones and dolomitic limestones.Petrographic examinations indicate that the preserving microcrystalline dolomites represent subtidal cycles developed in a shoal to open marine depositional environments,they probably formed under conditions of the shallow burial diagenesis.The destructive coarsely crystalline dolomites may develop in more basinward,open marine environments under conditions of the deep burial diagenesis that accompanied by rising in temperature,pressure,and burial depth.It is believed that evolution of the diagenetic history of the Judean Formation sediments occurred in two diagenetic stages;the shallow burial diagenesis,and the deep burial diagenesis.Compaction processes,early fracturing,micritization,early calcite,and the early phase of dolomitization were part of the multiple diagenetic alterations during the shallow burial diagenesis.The deep burial diagenesis was marked by dissolution,late stage of dolomitization and replacement,mechanical and chemical compaction,and the late calcite precipitation.It is believed that dolomitization of the Judea Formation carbonates in the Euphrates Graben has contributed to improving the reservoir properties by increasing the porosity and thus the permeability.

Study of the Effects of Water Level Depression in Euphrates River on the Water Quality

Abstract： The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are the main sources of water in Iraq. Iraq used to receive 33×109 m^3 of river water per year at Hit, 200 km downstream from the Syrian border before the 1970s. In 1980s, the discharge decreased to as little as 8 × 10^9 m^3 per year at Hit. The decreasing of discharge and water level in the Euphrates River causes problems of both quantity and quality, such as the increasing salinity in the internal delta downstream, the TDS （total dissolves salinity） at Hit has increased from less than 500 ppm to about 700 ppm. By 1989, the Euphrates＇ salinity at A1 Qaim reached 1,000 ppm. Currently, the TDS of the river, at AI Qaim, is greater than 1,000 ppm. The problem of control salinity has received considerable attention particularly when the surface water is extremely limited with poorly available ground water supply. The field measurement has achieved for TDS, pH （hydrogen ion）, EC （electric conductivity）, coliform content and heavy metal for three sectors in the Euphrates River basin in Iraq as well as the lakes of Tharthar, Habbaniya, and AI-Razzaza. The statistical analysis was made to relate these parameter with discharge and water level, which are refered to the important effect of the flow in river on the water quality of Euphrates River. The storage of water in the lakes Al-tharthar, Al-habbanya, and A1-Razzaza has a negative effects on the water quality, and shows that the best method for storage water is the reservoirs along river stream.

Water Quality and Some Heavy Metals in Water and Sediments of Euphrates River, Iraq

Water samples, sediments from three stations in Euphrates River, lraq were analyzed quantitatively for some physical and chemical characters and six heavy metals （Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb） using flam atomic absorption spectrophotpmeter in period Sept. 2009-Oct. 2010. The physical and chemical characters included temperature, pH, water flow, salinity, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, alkalinity total hardness, calcium and nutrients （nitrite, nitrate reactive phosphate and silicate）. The results showed variation in water flow 0.05-0.40 m/sec., according to the values of salinity 0.40%-0.60% values of the BOD5 were ranged between 0.2-4.3 mg/L. The mean concentration of the heavy metals （Pb, Ni, Mn, Co, Cu and Fe） of the dissolved phase in water were 0.13 μg/L, 0.021 μg/L, 0.31 μg/L, 4.29 μg/L, 7.78 μg/L, 6.46 μg/L and 79.04 μg/L, respectively, while their concentration in the particulate phase were 0.59 μg/g, 0.06 μg/g, 0.42 μg/g, 50.06 μg/g, 6.61 μg/g, 7.17 vg/g and 149.42 μg/g dry weight, respectively. Also the mean concentrations of heavy metals in sediment （exchangeable phase） were 0.51 vg/g,0.18 vg/g, 0.08 μg/g, 61.39 μg/g, 5.40 μg/g, 14.06 vg/g and 130.05 μg/g dry weight respectively, and 0.40 μg/g, 0.17 μg/g, 0.10 μg/g, 63.01 μg/g, 4.64 μg/g, 18.44 μg/g and 126.26 μg/g D.W. respectively in residual phase of sediment.

Assessment of Water Quality of Euphrates River Using Cluster Analysis

Multivariate statistical method including cluster analysis (CA) was used to assess temporal and spatial variations in the water quality of Euphrates River, Iraq, for a period 2008-2009 using 16 parameters at 11 sampling sites. Hierarchical CA grouped the 8 months into three periods (I, II and III) and classified the 11 sampling sites into two groups (I and II) based on similarities of water quality characteristics. The temporal pattern shows that April has higher pollution level relative to the other months. Spatially, sampling site 7 (S7) has lower pollution level while the other sampling sites have higher pollution level. Thus, this study shows usefulness of cluster analysis method for analyzing and interpreting of surface water dataset to assess the temporal and spatial variations in the water quality parameters and the optimization of regional water quality sampling network.

THE WATER RESOURCES IN THE EUPHRATES RIVER AND THE TIGRIS RIVER VALLEYS AND POLITICAL RELATION BETWEEN COUNTRIES CONCERNED

Recently at home and abroad there appears a view that owing to scarcity of the water resources and rapid increase in population in the Middle East and existing of large rivers, such as the Euphrates River and the Tigris River, the contradictions over the water resources have become increasingly sharp among the countries concerned, and a war for water will soon break out in the region. The authors of the present paper, however, put forward a different view, believing that no war for controlling the water resources will take place in the region.

Assessment of Heavy Metals Pollution in the Sediments of Euphrates River, Iraq

Fourteen bed sediments samples were collected from the Euphrates River in order to determine concentrations, seasonal, spatial and contamination assessment of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn and Cr. The mean concentrations are as follows: 2249.47 mg/kg for Fe, 228.18 mg/kg for Mn, 67.08 mg/kg for Ni, 58.4 mg/kg for Cr, 48.00 mg/kg for Zn, 28.16 mg/kg for Co, 22.56 mg/kg for Pb, 18.91 mg/kg for Cu and 1.87 mg/kg for Cd. To assess metal contamination in sediments, sediment quality guidelines were applied. The mean concentration of Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Cr exceeded the USEPA guideline. The metal contamination in the sediments was also evaluated by appling enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and pollution load index (PLI). Based on enrichment factor (EF), the Euphrates River sediments have very high enrichment for Pb, extremely high for Cd, moderate for Zn, significant to very high for Ni, very high to extremely high for Co, moderate to significant for Mn and significant to very high for Cr. According to contamination factor (CF), Cd and Cr are responsible for very high contamination. According to Igeo, the Euphrates River sediments are moderately to strongly polluted by Cd. Based on PLI, all sampling sites suggest no overall pollution of site quality.

Physico-Chemical Assessment of Euphrates Riverbetween Heet and Ramadi Cities, Iraq

The physico-chemical parameters of Euphrates River water were studied between Heet and Ramadi cities during November 2008 to June 2009. Water were samples collected from eleven stations and analyzed for Temperature, Turbidity, Electrical conductivity (EC), Total suspended solids (TSS), pH, Total dissolved salts (TDS), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Calcium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulphate, Phosphate, Bicarbonates, Chloride, Nitrate and Total hardness. The observed values of these physico-chemical parameters were compared with WHO standards. Some parameters (Turbidity, TSS, TDS, BOD, Calcium, Sodium and Total hardness) exceeded the permissible limits of WHO standards, while other parameters were within the permissible limits. Statistical studies have been carried out by calculating correlation coefficients between different pairs of parameters. Monthly and spatial variations of physico-chemical parameters were investigated.

Influence of Climatic Factors on the Recent Spread of Dubas Bug Ommatissus lybicus （Debergevin） on Date Palm Trees in Some Upper Euphrates Regions of AI-Anbar Province

The dubas bug Ommatissus lybicus （Debergevin） （Homoptera： Tropiduchidae） was almost absent in AI-Anbar Province during the past years, however, field survey conducted in different regions of the province during fall of 2007 indicated the presence of heavy infestation by this pest on date palm trees in some orchards toward the east of Hit city. Infestation was highly influencing in term of affected trees and accumulation of honey dew. Scattered infestations were also recorded in some orchards west of Hit city and near the cities of Haditha, Rawa and AI-Kaim near the Syrian border. However, a sharp decline of dubas population was observed during 2008 and subsequent years as a result of the influence of sever winter in 2008 and the continuous occurrence of dust storms which showed a detrimental effect on moving stages of dubas bug. Data showed that nymphs density reached to about 50 individuals/leaflet recorded during the last week of April and early May of 2008 and was reduced to less than 5 nymphs/leaflet by the end of the third week of May of the same year as a result of the indicated climatic factors. Farther samplings conducted in Spring and Fall seasons of 2009 and 2010 indicated that insects were mainly found on offshoots near the ground with a maximum density reached to 12 individuals/tree. Since the spread of the pest occurred in a discontinuous manner with no correlation to infestations in close by provinces indicating that the arrival or transportation of the pest was happened in a way other than the normal distribution, therefore, dubas bug may not persist in date palm orchards in A1- Anbar Province.

A Study of Phytoplankton Communities and Related Environmental Factors in Euphrates River (between Two Cities: Al-Musayyab and Hindiya), Iraq

The phytoplankton communities and related physical-chemical features of the Euphrates River at its middle region inside Iraqi territory were studied during the study period from October 2011 to September 2012. Samples were taken from Al-Musayab district extending to Al-Hindia district. The phytoplankton community (quantitative, qualitative and Chlorophyll-a) have been studied, in addition to many environmental parameters such as temperature, pH, electric conductivity (EC), Salinity (‰), TDS, TSS, dissolved oxygen, BOD5. A total of 105 phytoplankton taxa belonging to Bacillariophyta (69), Chlorophyta (19), Cynophyta (12), Euglenophyta (3), and Dinophyta (2) were recorded within the present study period. Some algal genera dominated mostly in the study period and sites such as Scendesmus, Melosira, Cymbella, Diatoma, Navicula, Nitiazschia and Syndera. A statistical analysis was done using the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA).

The Pliocene-Recent Euphrates river system:Sediment facies and architecture as an analogue for subsurface reservoirs

The Tigris-Euphrates is a continental-scale fluvial system,around 2800 km in length,which drains over 1 million km2 of SWAsia.The system originated in the Late Miocene and developed into the principal axial drainage system of the region,which follows broad regional structural features of the Mesopotamian Foreland Basin.Good preservation and outcropping of the Pliocene and Quaternary Euphrates deposits yield a viable local analogue for subsurface fluvial reservoirs in the region,and for other fluvial systems that have developed in foreland basin settings.This paper documents the first detailed study of the sedimentary characteristics of these Pliocene and Quaternary fluvial deposits along the middle reaches of the present-day Euphrates in Syria.The Euphrates fluvial system developed from small and probably short-lived isolated cut-and-fill channels in the Pliocene,characterised by abundant debrite and slump facies,through to a broad meandering system at present.The Quaternary deposits represent a braided to meandering system that was more energetic than that of the modern day Euphrates.The Quaternary facies include a dominance of gravels,pebbly sands and sands as channel associations,coupled with sands,muds and paleosols representing channel abandonment,overbank and crevasse-splay associations.Channel widths,where observed,range from 50 to 500 m,and minimum fill thicknesses range from 3 to 7 m.The combined channel-fill for stacked channels is up to 25 m thick.Lateral correlation of channel elements over at least 1 km of section indicates that rapid and extensive lateral migration has occurred.Crevasse splay lobes can be identified in the overbank deposits,with a width of 30e60 m and sand thickness of 0.5e1.5 m.The geometry,nature and dimensions of these architectural elements provide a useful analogue for subsurface reservoirs.The high-energy channel facies of the Quaternary system show very good reservoir attributes,with good correlation and connectivity.At the bed-scale there is significant heterogeneity of characteristics that would impact fluid-flow for hydrocarbon production from a subsurface reservoir.However,incomplete preservation of these Quaternary fluvial deposits at outcrop remains a challenge for accurately determining the scale of sedimentary features and also the size of the paleo-river.

Hydro-Politics of the Tigris and Euphrates Basins

The supply of fresh water is essential to life, socioeconomic development, and political stability in Middle East. Turkey, Syria and Iraq are the main riparian countries in the Tigris-Euphrates basin. Turkey is the riparian hegemon for a long time due to its structural power and dominant river position. Iraq and Syria are the lower countries in the basin and for this reason they always like to ensure the quantity of water required to satisfy their requirements. The conflict between riparian countries is due to several factors. These are: population growth rate and food security, energy security, economic and technological development, political fragmentation, international water laws, water and management availability and public awareness. There have been a number of attempts to find a common ground on water issues between the main three riparian countries since 1920 but no agreement signed yet. Present situation is very bad in Syria and Iraq where thousands of people have no access to water and farmers are leaving their land because of draught. Such situation will definitely raise tension and might lead to war. To avoid this, a mediator that has the capability to bring all countries concerned to the negotiation table is required. In addition, Syria and Iraq are to adopt prudent strategic plan based on resources development theory to ensure good water management and minimum water loses.

Expected Future of Water Resources within Tigris-Euphrates Rivers Basin,Iraq

Iraq is one of the riparian countries within basins of Tigris-Euphrates Rivers in the Middle East region. The region is currently facing water shortage problems due to the increase of the demand and climate changes. In the present study, average monthly water flow measurements for 15 stream flow gaging stations within basins of these rivers in Iraq with population growth rate data in some of its part were used to evaluate the reality of the current situation and future challenges of water availability and demand in Iraq. The results showed that Iraq receives annually 70.92 km3 of water 45.4 and 25.52 km3 from River Tigris and Euphrates respectively. An amount of 18.04 km3 of the Tigris water comes from Turkey while 27.36 km3 is supplied by its tributaries inside Iraq. The whole amount of water in the Euphrates Rivers comes outside the Iraqi borders. Annual decrease of the water inflow is 0.1335 km3·year-1 for Tigris and 0.245 km3·year-1 for Euphrates. This implies that the annual percentage reduction of inflow rates for the two rivers is 0.294% and 0.960%, respectively. Iraq consumes annually 88.89% (63.05 km3) of incoming water from the two rivers, where about 60.43% and 39.57% are from Rivers Tigris and Euphrates respectively. Water demand increases annually by 1.002 km3, of which 0.5271 km3 and 0.475 km3 are within Tigris and Euphrates basins respectively. The average water demand in 2020 will increase to 42.844 km3·year-1 for Tigris basin and for Euphrates 29.225 km3·year-1 (total 72.069 km3·year-1), while water availability will decrease to 63.46 km3·year-1. This means that the overall water shortage will be restricted to 8.61 km3.

Porosity enhancement potential through dolomitization of carbonate reservoirs, a case of study from the Euphrates Graben fields, East Syria

The dolostones and dolomitic limestones of the lower Cretaceous Judea formation are a key target ofhydrocarbons in most of the Euphrates Graben fields. Core materials investigation, thin sections petrographicallyexaminations, and petrophysical evaluations were obtained to determine enhancement ofthe porosity through dolomitization. Results showed that the lagoon-shallow marine carbonates of theJudea formation are subdivided into two main zones;the upper “limestone zone” is micritic limestonesdominated with no reservoir potential, and the lower “dolomite zone” is dolomitic limestones anddolostones dominated with good to very good reservoir potential. Dolomitization of the mudstones andwackestones of the micritic limestones resulted in formation of microcrystalline dolomicrite and earlyfabric destructive dolomites. Conversely, dolomitization of the packstones and grainstones resulted information of the fabric destructive and saddle dolomites. Based on petrography data, dolomitization ofthe “limestone zone” is interpreted by the seawater dolomitization mechanism at low-temperatures,while dolomitization of the “dolomite zone” is interpreted by the burial dolomitization mechanismunder high temperature and pressure conditions. The “limestone zone” is characterized by the poorestreservoir quality, while the “dolomite zone” is characterized by the best reservoir quality. The seawaterdolomitization did not significantly enhance the porosity, while the burial dolomitization contributes toenhancing the preserved secondary porosity. Stylolites microfractures and dissolution seams associatedwith dolomitization played as major factors in porosity enhancement of the dolostones and dolomiticlimestones and serving as pathways for hydrocarbon migration. Dissolution processes increased theporosity and more permeability unless they are filled with the precipitated dolomite and/or calcite.Calcification had significant effects on the porosity by blocking the cavities and channels and decreasedthe effective pore volume.

Solving the Water Resource Problems in Iraq

Iraq covers an area of 437072 km2 in the northeastern part of the Middle East. Its population now is more than 40 million. It relies mainly on its water resources from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. Recently, Iraq has been experiencing a severe water scarcity problem. This is mainly due to climate change, increased hydrological projects in riparian countries, and water resources mismanagement inside Iraq itself. To overcome the problem, a new strategy should be implemented. Such strategy should consider two main courses of action: a) serious negotiations with riparian countries to reach an agreement giving Iraq equitable water shares from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and their tributaries. b) Prudent water management practices inside Iraq that consider adopting realistic distribution of water between the governorates, rational policies aiming at increased water use efficiencies within Irrigation networks, increased use of non-conventional sources of water, adjustment of water tariffs and their collection procedures, improving agricultural techniques, introduction of intensive guidance and public awareness programs, and promulgation of new legislations, in addition to creation of human resources development programs.

Microfracture Characterization in Sandstone Reservoirs:A Case Study from the Upper Triassic of Syria's Euphrates Graben

The Euphrates Graben is located in eastern Syria.The Upper Triassic Mulussa F Formation sandstones serve as the primary reservoir intervals in the majority of the graben fields.The study’s findings were based on core studies:petrographic examination of thin sections,scanning electron microscope(SEM),imaging of backscatter scanning electron microscope(BSE),X-ray microprobe examinations,and carbon-oxygen stable isotope analysis of microfracture-filling cements.Three of the most common types of microfracture found in the investigated sandstones are intragranular or intracrystalline microfractures,grain boundary or grain-edge microfractures,and transgranular(crossing grains)microfractures.Sandstone microfractures that are open and free of secondary mineralization improve sandstone storage and permeability.However,microfractures that are cemented and filled with secondary mineralization reduce storage and permeability.Common siderite and pyrite cements were identified within the microfractures and the nearby sandstone matrix.Larger anhedral or euhedral siderites are thought to form during shallow burial diagenesis,whereas poikilotopic siderites are thought to form during deep burial diagenesis.Poikilotopic pyrite is believed to be a diagenetic cement,which is attributed to the reduction of iron oxides present in the sediments in the presence of hydrocarbons.Microfractures reflect tectonic,overpressure,and diagenetic origins.Microfractures of tectonic origin are associated with folding and thrust activities over the Euphrates Graben area,and they were formed at the beginning of the Upper Triassic with siderite and pyrite cement equilibration temperatures of approximately 100–105℃,and they continued forming from the middle to the end of the Upper Triassic with cement equilibration temperatures of approximately 90–100℃in conjunction with the first phase of the Euphrates Graben.Microfractures related to diagenetic and overpressure processes are tension microfractures and were formed in compression settings during the Upper Triassic.

Cementation Characteristics and Their Effect on Quality of the Upper Triassic, the Lower Cretaceous, and the Upper Cretaceous Sandstone Reservoirs, Euphrates Graben, Syria

This article presents the results of cementation characteristics and their effect on sandstone reservoir quality of the Upper Triassic Mulussa F, the Lower Cretaceous Lower Rutbah, and the Upper Cretaceous Post Judea Sandstone formations in selected fields in the Euphrates Graben area, Syria. This study emphasises the role of cementation in the evaluation of the diagenetic history of the sediments, developing effective porosity, as well as evaluation of reservoirs stimulation procedures and potential for formation damage of the sandstone reservoirs. Quartz cement is present as well developed tabular or pyramidal syntaxial overgrowths. Kaolinite cement is present as vermicular aggregates which are most abundant within sandstones of the Mulussa F Formation. Carbonate cements include siderite and dolomite. Four lithofacies were identified within the studied formations;lithofacies-1 and 2 correspond to fluvial depositional environments, lithofacies-3 and 4 correspond to fluvial to estuarine channel environments. The Post Judea Sandstone and the Lower Rutbah reservoir units are typically lithofacies-3 sequences in which quartz overgrowths are the dominant cement. Because the total cement is more extensive in the Post Judea Sandstone Formation than in the Lower Rutbah Formation, resulting in high porosity(up to 26%) and permeability(6 000 mD), the reservoir quality is predicted to be best in the Post Judea Sandstone Formation. The reservoir units in the Mulussa F Formation contain the highest cement volumes comprised of early siderite and kaolinite, which, with the development of compaction-resisting quartz overgrowths and resultant compactional pore volume loss, has resulted in typically lower porosity being preserved than in the Lower Rutbah and Post Judea Sandstone formations.

Causes of Water Resources Scarcity in Iraq and Possible Solutions

Iraq relies in its water resources on the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates and their tributaries. The country is located in the lower part of the catchment area of these rivers. The long-term average annual flow that enters Iraq from these rivers is about 30 BCM from the Euphrates, 21.2 BCM from the Tigris, 24.78 BCM from tributaries and 7 BCM from side valleys between Iraq and Iran. Now, the flow of these rivers is decreasing due to climate change and hydrological projects established in the upper parts of the catchment. It is indicated that precipitation will decrease by 15% - 25% during this century and that means that the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers will be reduced by 29% - 73%. This will cause a grave depletion of groundwater resources. Türkiye is trying to finish building 22 dams and 19 hydropower stations. Iran built 12 dams and diverted the flow of some tributaries inside Iran and blocked all the valleys that contribute water from its land to Iraq. For these reasons, Iraq is experiencing shortages in its water resources and there is some sort of friction and conflict between riparian countries within the Tigris and Euphrates basins because each country tries to secure its water resources. In this research, the factors affecting the hydro politics within these basins are water scarcity, climate change and hydrological projects, population growth rate, energy issues, water mismanagement, economic changes, expansions of projects and technology, political issues, international water laws and public awareness. In case the situation remains as it is, Iraq will experience many problems in health, environment, economy, and security. To solve the problem of water scarcity in Iraq, two parallel lines of action are to be considered. These are: 1) Reach agreements with Riparian Parties;2) Develop a long-term strategy that should take the following: a) Rehabilitating of existing dams, barrages & pump stations, b) Improving the efficiency of diversion and supply, c) Using of nonconventional water resources, d) Irrigation modernization using suitable techniques, e) Developing a public awareness program, f) Developing human resources program and establishing an agenda for training, g) Developing an agri- cultural plan that takes into consideration the possibility of reducing crops that consume a lot of water.

Development of two microsatellite multiplex PCR systems for high throughput genotyping in Populus euphratica

Eighteen microsatellite primer pairs previously developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for Populus tremuloides Michx. and Populus trichocarpa Tort. ＆ Gray were screened for amplification in Euphrates poplar, Populus euphratica Oliv. Thirteen loci were found to express polymorphisms ranging from two to 17 alleles. The eight most variable loci were selected to set up and optimize two multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） assays. Three populations containing altogether 436 trees were used to characterize the selected loci and ascertain their applicability for parentage analysis and genotyping studies. Through cross-checking of clonal identity against sex of the genotyped trees we estimated the maximum error rate for merging genotypes to be less than 0.045.

Development of two microsatellite multiplex PCR systems for high throughput genotyping in Populus euphratica

Eighteen microsatellite primer pairs previously developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for Populus tremuloides Michx. and Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray were screened for amplification in Euphrates poplar, Populus euphratica Oliv. Thirteen loci were found to express polymorphisms ranging from two to 17 alleles. The eight most variable loci were selected to set up and optimize two multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Three populations containing altogether 436 trees were used to characterize the selected loci and ascertain their applicability for parentage analysis and genotyping studies. Through cross-checking of clonal identity against sex of the genotyped trees we estimated the maximum error rate for merging genotypes to be less than 0.045.